Alder Harrington-McKinney’s Updates

District 1 Updates

Three area Culver's restaurants will be giving 100 percent of their sales on July 15 to the family of the contractor who died during an armed robbery on June 27.

The fundraising for the family of Christ Kneubuehl will be at the Todd Drive Culver's at 2102 W. Beltline Highway, the Cottage Grove Road Culver's at 4401 Cottage Grove Road and the McFarland Culver's at 4700 Farwell Street, in McFarland.

SAVE THE DATE - NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING

Flooding Issues & Snow Removal Presentation

Monday, July 17, 2017, 6:00 p.m.

Blackhawk Church - Fireside Room, 9620 Brader Way

(please park in lower level of parking ramp to enter church)

Please join me and staff from the Traffic Engineering Division and Streets Division for a neighborhood meeting where we will discuss neighborhood- related flooding issues and a presentation by Bryan Johnson from the City Streets Division on the city's snow removal/plowing. Staff will be available to answer any questions.

TRAFFIC

QUESTIONS FROM RESIDENT

I just noticed they are not expanding to 4 lanes, but only putting in a left turn lane. While that will help, the underlying issue of people jockeying for position to get in front before the lanes go down to one ( for two blocks and then back to two) still exists. Why would we not expand with hwy m likely to be under construction soon forcing even more traffic through. Is it because Middleton owns the land needed to expand? I sure hope money is not at the expense of someone's life. When will the two block section of high point be expanded?

CITY OF MADISON TRAFFIC ENGINEERING - David Dryer

That is correct the expansion to 4-lane is not planned at the moment rather it will occur after dedication of the right-of-way needed from development along the west side of High Point Rd. City Engineering programs these projects and may have additional comments as well. The addition of the by-pass lane at Velvet Leaf will address the rear-end crash problem that was noted, and I can provide as a District 1 resident as well that this bypass lane will be a very positive improvement in both operating conditions and the public's safety. The lane drop and merge area for southbound traffic further north on High Pt Rd that you noted will have to be addressed with the larger project. While this drop can be frustrating because some drivers behave poorly wanting to get ahead of one another it was not a significant crash or operational problem as we were seeing at the Velvet Leaf intersection.

I appreciate the neighborhoods patience as the City works to complete these projects. Let me know if there are any.

David C. Dryer, P.E.,

City Traffic Engineer and Parking Utility Manager, City of Madison, WI

Mid-Town Station Update

The 2nd Quarter was a good quarter for the Midtown station project. The construction documents were complete, the project went out to bid, and we had two bids that came in within budget. The project is now in the process of accepting the low bid. Miron Construction Company had the low bid and we will be meeting with them in the near future. The project should start no later than the third week of August. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at this email or 245-3652.

Location: 1233 McKenna Boulevard - Public Project, Park Edge/Park Ridge Employment Center. 1st Ald. Dist. This project went before the Urban Design Committee and will go before the Planning Commission on Monday for approval to convert the restaurant into an employment and training center. The UDC recommended outside design changes, and added more trees. The project is on line to begin construction in September 2017.

Committees, commissions, and boards play a significant role in helping city staff, the Common Council and the Mayor in making decisions that affect the lives of Madison residents. The City of Madison values broad participation in these bodies and highly encourages people of color, persons with disabilities and members of other traditionally underrepresented groups to apply. Committee positions are open to City of Madison residents. Committee/Commissions with vacancies: Equal Opportunity, Public Safety Review, Affirmative Action, Board of Public Works, City-County Homeless Issues, CDA Housing, Urban Design, visit the link to learn more about their duties and missions.

Recent Burglary

Please be aware that there was a break-in of an unlocked car in a driveway this weekend. Please remember to lock your vehicles, remove valuables and keep any security lights on at night. Please contact the police if you are concerned about suspicious activity, or to report a crime.

Farmers Market at Elver Park this summer! There are vendors, events, and different organizations represented. Please attend and support your local growers.

Elver Park Farmers Market, Saturdays June 10-September 16 8am-Noon

Meat, Eggs, Fish, Seasonal Vegetables, Fruit, and Flowers

Community Events such as June 10: MG&E Solar Tent and SSM Health Healthy Habits Wheel spin for kids, July 8: Free Bootcamp 7:30am-8:15am, August 19: Mounted Patrol 11am-Noon, Music various Saturdays and more! Please like the FaceBook page for updates!

Talking With Your Children About Safety

Many of you may have seen the incident report about a suspicious person in the Hill Farms Neighborhood on the near west side who asked an 11 year old boy to get into his vehicle. Fortunately, the young man wisely refused and safely made it home on his bike.

In light of this incident, I wanted to share some tips for talking to your kids about safety this summer.

At the Madison Police Department, we steer away from using the term "Stranger Danger."

The fact of the matter is this:

Most of the people in the world are good and helpful! We don't want our kids to think that they can't ever approach a stranger to ask for assistance, because there might come a time when they have to!

• They might have to ask a clerk at the grocery store for help finding their mom or dad.

• If they are walking home from school and there is an emergency situation, they might have to turn to an unknown neighbor who is outside mowing his lawn and ask that he call 911.

For reasons such as these, we prioritize teaching kids what we refer to as The First Rule of Safety:

Check First before you go anywhere with anyone (for any reason at any time)!

• Check with the adult who is in charge of you at the time.

• If you cannot check, then the answer is NO!

Other language that we use to talk to kids about safety includes:

• Adults can get help from other adults. You do not need to help anyone find a lost puppy, unload a truck, or find their way unless you Check First. If an adult that you do not know asks you for help, tell them that you will get your mom or your dad or your babysitter to come and help them, and report what is happening to your grown up right away!!

• Know your full name, address, and telephone number with the area code. Know your parents' or guardians' names, too.

• Use the buddy system; go in groups. There is strength in numbers!

• If you are separated or lost from your parent or buddy, freeze and then yell your parent's or buddy's first and last name. You may ask a clerk or mother with children to go get help for you, but remember to stay where you are. Imagine that you have glue on your shoes.

• If anyone tries to move or hurt you, make sure you scream, kick, fight, and yell, "You're not my dad (or mom)!"

I always remind parents that practice makes perfect. Rehearse with your children different scenarios when The First Rule of Safety might apply.

• You are playing at the park and a man asks you if you want to take a walk with him to see his dog. What do you do? (Check first before you go anywhere with anyone.)

• You are walking home from school and your friend's mom invites you to come into their house for cookies and milk. What do you do? (Check first before you go anywhere with anyone.)

You can compare practicing for these types of situations to fire and tornado drills in schools. These things will probably never happen, but we need to know how to respond just in case. We want to make sure that our children are prepared, not scared! Remind your children to Check First in their daily lives. This simple rule is good practice, in general, and could keep them safe in a potentially harmful situation.

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